In 2016, India signed an agreement to jointly develop a strategic port in a neighbouring country. What is the name of this port?

Introduction / Context:
Ports play a key role in international trade and strategic connectivity. India has pursued agreements with neighbouring countries to develop ports that improve access to global markets and bypass geographic bottlenecks. In 2016, a major agreement was signed with Iran to develop a strategic port that would enhance India's connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asia without passing through Pakistan. This question asks you to identify the name of that port.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The year mentioned is 2016.
• India signed an agreement with a neighbouring country to develop a strategic port.
• The port is intended to improve trade routes and strategic access.
• The options are Gwadar Port, Hambantota Port, Chabahar Port, and Mongla Port.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is to recall India's foreign policy and infrastructure projects. In 2016, India, Iran, and Afghanistan signed a trilateral agreement focusing on the development of Chabahar Port in Iran. Chabahar gives India sea and land access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. Gwadar is a port in Pakistan developed mainly with Chinese assistance. Hambantota is in Sri Lanka and Mongla is in Bangladesh. Therefore, by linking the year and strategic objective, Chabahar Port is correctly identified.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that India has been interested in Chabahar Port in Iran as a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia. Step 2: Recognise that in 2016, India and Iran signed key agreements to develop and operate terminals at Chabahar. Step 3: Check the options and note that Gwadar Port is in Pakistan and is a flagship project of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. Step 4: Note that Hambantota Port is in Sri Lanka and known for Chinese investment and later leasing issues. Step 5: Observe that Mongla Port is a Bangladeshi port and not the one highlighted in India Iran Afghanistan connectivity agreements, so choose Chabahar Port.

Verification / Alternative Check:
To verify, recall newspaper headlines and exam preparation material from around 2016, which frequently mentioned the Chabahar agreement and its implications for regional connectivity. Maps illustrating the new trade corridor showed ships moving from Indian ports to Chabahar in Iran and then goods travelling by road and rail to Afghanistan. None of these diagrams featured Gwadar, Hambantota, or Mongla in the context of India led development projects, confirming that Chabahar is the strategic port named in the question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Gwadar Port is wrong because it is a strategic port in Pakistan developed largely by China under the Belt and Road Initiative, and India is not developing it. Hambantota Port is wrong because it is in Sri Lanka and has been developed with Chinese loans; news about debt and leasing arrangements often mention this port, not Indian development. Mongla Port is wrong because, while India has interests in connectivity with Bangladesh, the 2016 high profile strategic port development agreement was not centred on Mongla.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse Gwadar and Chabahar because both are located along the Arabian Sea and are mentioned in strategic discussions about the region. Another pitfall is to recall Hambantota from news and pick it without carefully considering the country and the year of the agreement. To avoid these errors, one should clearly remember that Chabahar is linked to India, Iran, and Afghanistan cooperation, while Gwadar and Hambantota are more closely associated with Chinese investment.

Final Answer:
The strategic port that India agreed to jointly develop in 2016 is Chabahar Port.